The first quarter-final line-ups have been known. In the first part of the men’s draw, Jannik Sinner will take on Novak Djokovic while David Goffin will face Cameron Norrie. On the women’s side, Ons Jabeur will face Marie Bouzkova and Tatjana Maria will face Jule Niemeier, in a 100% German battle. In addition to these first round of 16 matches, the day was also marked by Roger Federer’s grand appearance during the 100th anniversary ceremony on Centre Court.
Sinner dominated Alcaraz
This Sunday, the new generation was in the spotlight and saw two of its greatest talents battle for a place in the quarter-finals. The 20 year old Italian prodigy was more than impressive as he overcame the 19 year old Spanish phenomenon Carlos Alcaraz in four sets (6-1, 6-4, 6-7, 6-3). With brilliant backhands, drop shots and laser forehands, the two cracks put on a great show.
The world No. 13 started strongly and quickly taking the opponent’s serve twice to win the first set (6-1) against the No. 5 seed. In the second set, the Italian continued his progress and took Alcaraz’s serve from the start. He held on to this lead for the rest of the set, winning it 6-4. In the third set, Carlos Alcaraz showed a better face, did not concede a break and won the tie-break (10-8) after saving two match points, but Jannik Sinner was again too strong in the fourth and last set. The Spanish was dominated by the Italian, who was unable to develop his game from the start of the match and was hampered by Sinner’s phenomenal return of serve. On his serve, the Italian wasn’t bad either, as he didn’t lose a single game, often making the difference with dazzling forehands. Tomorrow’s match against Novak Djokovic will be the second Grand Slam quarter-final of his career, after the one against Nadal in 2020 at the French Open.
Djokovic defeated the sensation Van Rijthoven
Speaking of the Serb, favourite for the final victory, he was strong and qualified by beating Dutchman Tim Van Rijthoven, ranked 104th in the world (6-2, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2). The Rosendael native was a surprise guest at this Wimbledon because of his performance at the ATP 250 in Den Bosch. He put up a good fight against the world number one Serbian, taking a set (6-4), before sinking the third and fourth sets. The Serb disgusted the first-time Grand Slam competitor with his immense defences and his Made in Novak precision (only 19 unforced errors!). Despite this, Van Rijthoven’s fine run in the London Grand Slam will not earn him any points in the rankings (the tournament points were removed due to the exclusion of the Russian players). Djokovic, the defending champion, will now face Sinner in the quarter-finals.
Goffin wins a hard-fought battle against Tiafoe, Norrie secures victory in front of his home crowd
After five sets, 4 hours and 37 minutes, David Goffin came out on top against the American Francis Tiafoe (7-6, 5-7, 5-7, 6-4, 7-5) in a real marathon. The former world No. 7 confirmed his renewed form over the last few months and showed what he is capable of when injuries leave him alone. The Belgian, now ranked 58th in the world, will join the British Cameron Norrie for a quarter-final, which will be his second on Wim’s grass (the first was in 2019). The first was in 2019. Norrie defeated another American, Tommy Paul, in three sets in 2 hours and 24 minutes (6-4, 7-5, 6-4). The British player, who was a late bloomer, made it to the first quarter-final of his career at any Grand Slam, much to the delight of the London crowd. World No. 12 at the age of 26, he was still 71st in the ATP rankings in 2020 and it is only since 2021 that he has started to win titles. A fast progression.
Jabeur new boss, German women shone, Bouzkova too
With her solid victory, not without difficulty, over Belgian seed n°24 Elise Mertens (7-6, 6-4) in 1h48, the Tunisian Ons Jabeur reached the quarter-finals and equalled her performance of last year, here in London. A success that confirms the 27-year-old world No. 2 as the main favourite for the title, following also the elimination of Iga Swiatek in the 3rd round. She will face the Czech Marie Bouzkova, one of the surprises of this women’s Wimbledon. Bouzkova defeated the Frenchwoman Caroline Garcia (7-5, 6-2). Only 66th in the world, the 23 year old Czech is defying the odds and will be looking to create a new feat. The winner of this match will face the survivor of tomorrow’s all-German duel between Tatjana Maria (103rd in the world) and Jule Niemeier (97th in the world) who respectively eliminated Jelena Ostapenko (5-7, 7-5, 7-5) and Heather Watson (6-2, 6-4). Maria came out heroic and victorious in a 2 hour 10 minute battle in which she saved two match points against the Latvian No.12 seed, who killed herself in a match that was already in her grasp, by committing major unforced errors in key moments of the match. Tatjana Maria became the first woman on the WTA Tour to reach the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam after becoming a mother twice.
Roger Federer : “I hope I can come back to Wimbledon one more time.”
Yesterday, the King was back in his kingdom. The Swiss made a remarkable appearance, under the cheers of the crowd, at the 100th anniversary ceremony of the Centre Court, Wimbledon’s historic home. The greatest legends of the tournament’s history were invited and of course, the man with 8 titles on the London grass was the last to make his entrance, with a more than warm welcome. During the ceremony, the Swiss, who was eliminated here last year in the quarters by Hubert Hurkacz, showed his desire to have one more good time: “I miss Wimbledon. I hope I can come back to Wimbledon one more time.”
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